“Of Dogs and Children”

Mark 7: 27, 28: “And Jesus was saying to her, ‘Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’ But she answered and said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children’s crumbs.’” What was so wise about this answer that it impressed even Jesus? Possibly this: That both children and dogs are in the house, at the table. Metaphorically speaking, we tend to think the kids belong inside God’s house, where the dogs have no place. This Gentile woman (a dog in the Jewish culture of that time) knew differently. Maintaining the metaphor: God’s house is a pet-friendly establishment, and woe be to anyone who tries to keep out any one of His creatures.